attenuated a little towards the base, nearly straight.
Labellum large, inflated, ringent, sharply keeled at the
back, the point reflexed, sides bright yellow, the back
more or less red; at the base are two subulate spurs,
about the length of the ovarium. Stigma 2-lipped:
upper lip 2-lobed, the lobes spreading, and fringed
towards the base : lower lip 3-lobed, the lobes pointed.
Anther resnpinate, 2-lobed. Pollen-masses two in each
lobe, pedicled and inclosed in a hood : the pedicles
each seated on a flat two-lobed scale or gland, fixed
on the point of the lower lip of the stigma.
Our drawing of this most beautiful and curious species, was taken
from a plant at the Nursery of Mr. Tate, in Sloane Street, who imported
it from the Cape of Good Hope, and who observes, that it
flowered with him also last year, but much w eaker, the plants having
increased mncb in size since then. Mr. Tate has them planted in large
pots, in a stiff loamy soil, which, be observes, is very similar to the
soil that was about the roots when they arrived from the Cape, and
which they thrive in remarkably well ; others, that be planted in
lighter soil, did not succeed so well; S. cucullatum we also observed
in liower at Mr: Tate’s at the same time, and Mr. Tate has lately introduced
numerous other Orchideous plants from the same quarter ;
those will all thrive well, planted in a warm border in a southern aspect,
and to be covered up with mats or straw, or any other light
covering in severe frosty weather, but to be always exposed to the
air when the weather is mild ; or if a brick pit, with lights, be allowed
for them, they will answer exceedingly well, the lights to be kept on
in very wet or frosty weather, and to be covered up in severe frost;
and if some moss were planted between them, we have no doubt but
numerous young plants would come up from seeds, the seeds of Or-
chideoe requiring something to feed on and shade them, as they are all
more or less inclined to be parasitical, particularly the seedling plants;
a mat can also be spread on the lights of a hot day, when the plants
are in flower, to keep the sun from scorching them. W e should like
to see a collection of those beautiful Orchideous plants, native of the
Cape, N ew Holland, Mexico, Chili, and Peru, cultivated in this
manner; and we know no place where it could be done better than
at the Nursery of Messrs. Young at Epsom, whose manager,
Mr. P en ny , is a successful cultivator of Orchide®, and flowers the
British species to double their natural size.
The generic name is derived from vaTÒqc;, a Satyr; and the genus is
readily known from all others, by the two spurs at the base o f the
labellum.
J. Perianthium, the segments all connected at the base. 2. Labellum, with the
two spurs at the base. 3. Ovarium, terminated by the Style front view, showing
the anther attached to the lobe of the Stigma. 4. The same, side view. 6. Tlie
forked pollen masses detached, each seated on a flat two-lobed scale.